Accompanies introductory lecture on UK government and legal information.

1. Reading and writing Law: introduction Pete Smith Information Adviser

2. The Structure of Government and Legal information PRIMARY SECONDARY Green Papers Journal articles Reports White Papers Encyclopaedias Judgments Bills Textbooks Acts of Parliament Statutory Instruments Newspapers

3. Sources and where to find them We will now follow an idea from its beginning through to its becoming established in the legal system. We will look at how and where we can find information about the idea.

4. The idea A Minister gives a speech, introducing a potential new policy. It could be reported on the Ministry/ Department website It could be discussed in newspapers http://www.flickr.com/photos/markhillary/

5. The idea develops The government decides to take the idea further, and issues a general proposal- often known as a Green Paper Available from the Official Publications website http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/ Provides all Command Papers from 2004 There may be an associated consultation site May also be discussed on campaign and lobby group websites, e.g. The Literacy Trust covered Every Child Matters May be covered in newspapers

6. Proposal for legislation Following the discussion of the Green Paper, the government may issue a Command Paper outlining proposed legislation- often referred to as a White Paper Available from Official Publications http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/ Provides all Command Papers from 2004 There may be a consultation site May also be discussed on campaign/lobby group websites May be covered in newspapers

7. The Bill The government decides to introduce legislation- usually this is announced in the Queen's Speech. Current Bills can be found on the Parliament website http://services.parliament.uk/bills/ You can follow their progress, read debates and see changes Proposed legislation will also be discussed in newspapers and journal articles

8. The Act Should it make it through Parliament, the Bill will become an Act of Parliament http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/about_legislation http://www.bailii.org/uk/legis/num_act/ Current Law Statutes Annotated- print source, provides commentary on Acts. Useful for following development of Acts LexisLibrary and Westlaw OPSI, Bailii, LexisLibrary and Westlaw also list Statutory Instruments

9. Up before the Courts Judgments and opinions relating to the Act may be published http://www.bailii.org/ LexisLibrary, Westlaw, Casetrack, Lawtel Note: cases from lower courts- magistrates, crown, county- are NOT reported.

10. Citations- Neutral R (on the application of Purdy) (Appellant) v Director of Public Prosecutions (Respondent) [2009] UKHL 45

11. Citation- Proprietary Austin and another v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2009] UKHL 5 [2009] AC 564

12. Discussion and debate As it progresses from suggestion to Act and beyond, the idea will be discussed and debated Journals available via LitSearch, the catalogue and in hard copy Encyclopaedias Such as Halsburys Laws of England, updated each month Textbooks Newspapers

13. An example The Terrorism Act 2000

14. Cm 3420 Inquiry and Cm 4178 Consultation paper http://www.archive.official-documents.co.uk Terrorism Bill 1999 http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.com/pa/cm199900/cmbills/010/2000100.htm Terrorism Act 2000 http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/ukpga_20000011_en_1 Act Idea Bill Discussed in secondary sources:- Newspapers Journals Encyclopaedias Textbooks R v Z [2005] UKHL 35 [2005] 2 AC 645 http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKHL/2005/35.html Case

15. Finding materials You will use a range of tools to find materials The Learning Centre catalogue Online databases Search engines